QualificationsCompletion of the ninth (9th) grade; prefer high school graduateAble to read and write consistent with job requirementsPossession of the emotional and cognitive maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with the client, client's family, and Agency personnelNeat, clean personal appearanceFree from health problems that may be injurious to client, self and coworkers and presents the required documents to indicate suchMust have annual TB skin tests and submit proof to Human ResourcesPossess reliable transportationAbility to demonstrate the appropriate PCP knowledge and skills related to the following (passing score on skills validation test required):Appropriate work experience and/or experience with caregivingMethodology for assisting clients to achieve maximum self-reliancePrinciples of nutrition and meal preparationPrinciples of the aging process and emotional issues related to illness and long-term home careProcedures for maintaining a clean, healthful and pleasant environmentMaintenance of ethics and confidentiality of client careRoles of healthcare team members and inter-relationships in careProviding information for supervisors and maintaining appropriate and required records in relation to plan of care, report and timesheet, reporting concerns/changes in client condition/home environment, supervisory visits and recertificationBasic non-skilled personal care and housekeeping tasksInterest and concern for peopleGood judgment and tact in dealing with peopleProper hygiene and knowledge of basic safety and sanitationStandard Precautions and basic infection prevention and control practicesAwareness that counseling is available if needed for difficult cases and potentially dangerous situationsEssential Functions/Areas of AccountabilityFollow the plan of care prepared by the supervisor with the client to provide the following:Help client maintain personal hygieneAssist in maintaining a healthful, safe environmentPlan and prepare nutritious mealsShop for groceries and supplies when instructed to do so by the client and as indicated in the plan of careAssist client with non-skilled personal care as directed in the written scope of practice including bathing, skin care, hair care, nail care, mouth care, shaving, dressing, feeding, ambulation, exercise, transfers, positioning, bladder and bowel care, medication reminding, respiratory care, accompanying, homemaking, protective oversight, and respite care.See scope of practice for guidelinesEncourage the client to become as independent as possible within activities allowed in the plan of careProvide positive emotional support while performing tasks in the client's homePerform routine housekeeping tasks as related to a safe and comfortable environment for the client as instructed in the plan of care; may include routine, light housekeeping, meal preparation, dishwashing, bed making, laundry, shopping, and teaching the client these tasks as appropriateFollow standard precautions whenever giving any aspect of client careEstablish a relationship with the client and the client's family which conveys trust and confidentialityComplete visit reports with time in and time out each day of client visit, document services provided, obtain client's signature each visit, and submit to the Agency per established guidelinesReport any client concerns or condition changes to the Agency Supervisor or Agency Manager or designee (do not perform client assessment)Carry out assignments as instructed by the plan of care and report to the supervisor and/or designee if unable to do soWorks in conjunction with personnel of other agencies involved in the client's care as directed by the Agency Supervisor or Agency ManagerMaintain confidentiality at all timesPerform only those functions specified in the plan of care for each individual client; never provide skilled care for the clientFollow emergency procedures in the event of any incident- accident, injury or significant change in the client's condition- and report the incident to the Agency Supervisor, Agency Manager or Agency as soon as safely possible